Are you registered to vote? Act now to vote on May 22

Residents who have opted to vote by post in this year's Council elections and European Parliamentary elections will be receiving their ballot papers from May 9.

If you have not received your postal vote papers by May 16, please contact the electoral services on 01924 305023 for assistance.

Wakefield Council is appealing to postal voters to return their postal ballot papers as soon as possible - and not wait until polling day on May 22.

This year's polls will see one third of the Council's seats up for election - with 78 candidates contesting 21 seats – and, at the same time, six seats in the Yorkshire and the Humber constituency of the European Parliament are being contested.

Returning Officer and Council Chief Executive Joanne Roney said: "To make sure you can use your vote in these important elections you need to be on the electoral register.

"If you are voting by post, please fill in and return your ballot forms as soon as you can. Don't delay, make sure your vote counts.

If you are not sure if you are registered, please contact the electoral services helpline on 01924 305023 or email elections@wakefield.gov.uk. You must be registered by May 6 to vote in this year's elections."

There are three ways of voting - in person at a polling station on May 22, by post or by proxy. You can download an application form to vote by post or proxy at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

New applications to vote by post must be received by the Electoral Services Office by 5pm on May 7.

New applications to vote by proxy must be received by the Electoral Services Office by 5pm on May 14. People voting in person at polling stations should check their poll cards for information about where and when to vote. Google maps showing directions to polling stations can be accessed at www.wakefield.gov.uk/elections There are 170 polling stations across the district, open from 7am to 10pm.